Chapter 1

The pipe broke, and I wondered if my day could get any worse.

I watched, exasperated, as water pooled around me, and I was too broke to call a plumber.

Thankfully, the water stopped flowing, and I sighed in relief.

My living room, however, was in shambles - scattered furniture and debris from last night's mayhem.

My normally neat space had been transformed into a battleground.

I heard a bark, and I turned to see my little husky pup, Ginn, running and yapping at the top of his doggy lungs.

"There you are, Ginn," I said, scooping him up in my arms.

Ginn was my beloved best friend, rescued from the side of the road.

He was a playful and loyal companion, and his little barks always made me smile.

A knock at the door made me jump, and Ginn let out another bark.

I opened the door, and my best friend, Reagan, sauntered in, a sly grin spreading across her face at the sight of my chaotic living room.

"Jeez, Amelia, you sure know how to let loose! What happened here, a wild loving" she teased, her eyebrows raised in mischievous amusement.

I rolled my eyes at her playful jab.

"Wild loving? You must be joking" I said, flopping down onto the couch in defeat

Reagan spoke up, "So, have you found a job yet?"

I shook my head glumly, my gaze fixed on a spider spinning its web on the ceiling.

"Nope," I muttered. "America is making things tough for me."

Reagan giggled at my exasperated tone.

"Oh, Amy, don't blame America! I'll ask my uncle for help. He says there are plenty of jobs in Portland.

"Portland is way too far away!" I protested.

"If I left here in the morning, I'd probably only be back the next day. That's crazy!"

Reagan grinned at my complaints.

"Hey, it's your call. But Portland's a great place for nature lovers like you.

You'd be surrounded by lush forests and beautiful rivers. Think about it, Amelia."

"Alright then," I conceded

"Got anything to eat?" Reagan asked, grinning at me.

"Just some cheeseburgers and milk," I said with a slight scowl.

Reagan's smile widened.

"That's perfect!" she said, already making her way to my kitchen.

I shook my head in mild exasperation as I watched her sashay across the room.

Reagan was a breath of fresh air in my often dreary life, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her antics.

She emerged from the kitchen with cheeseburgers and a glass of milk, digging into her food like there was no tomorrow.

"Yum!" she exclaimed, wiping her mouth.

"Remind me to come here every morning for breakfast."

I shot her a mock glare.

"I hope I get a job in Portland so I can watch you figure out how to teleport to my doorstep every morning," I teased.

"Oh, I could always visit you in Portland," she said casually, polishing off the rest of her milk.

"You just ate the last of my food!" I exclaimed, appalled at her gluttony.

Reagan simply shrugged and headed for the door.

"Who's gonna return the plate?" I yelled after her, but my words were met with the resounding slam of the door.

**

The journey to Portland was a grueling one, with me crammed into the back of a pickup truck, my backpack at my feet.

Ginn had been entrusted to Reagan's care so I didn't have to worry about him.

The truck bumped and jostled, sending my head slamming against the side of the truck.

Grimacing, I straightened up and watched the countryside roll by, catching glimpses of gazelles and even a few buffaloes.

Despite my discomfort, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the landscape.

Once again, the pickup lurched and I muttered a string of curses under my breath.

Was the driver drunk? It certainly seemed so, given how poorly he was handling the vehicle.

We passed through the rugged mountainous terrain and entered a small, quaint town.

The houses were closely clustered, and people bustled about, going about their daily lives.

Dogs barked in the distance, and the air smelled fresh and clean, free from the smog and pollution of the city.

With a sudden jerk, the pickup came to a stop, and I disembarked, wincing as my feet hit the ground with a thud.

Clutching the scrap of paper with the address scrawled by Reagan.

I retraced her directions and soon found myself in a small town.

How was I supposed to find a job here? I approached a young boy and asked him about the address.

He pointed to a large house and I made my way to the front door. I knocked and waited for a response

The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with a friendly smile that broadened when he saw me.

"Ah, you must be Reagan's friend," he said

I returned his smile and stepped inside, taking a seat at the table when he motioned for me to do so.

He brought out a steaming plate of pizza and a cold soda, setting them before me. I couldn't help but salivate at the sight.

"Reagan said you were looking for work," he continued.

"I'm currently unemployed, so I need work," I explained.

Reagan's uncle nodded, a contemplative expression on his face.

"There might be an opportunity for you as a waitress. I'll contact the man to see if the position is still open," he said, drumming his fingers on the table.

"Do you have a place to stay?" he asked.

I shook my head, feeling a pang of helplessness.

"You can stay here with me as long as you need," he said with a gentle smile.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as took the last slice of pizza, allowing myself to sink into the sofa with a sense of contentment.

Things were looking up - a job on the horizon, a roof over my head.

I closed my eyes and let the day's exhaustion wash over me.

But then, a bone-chilling howl pierced the silence.

It wasn't the howl of a wolf, I knew that much.

A sense of foreboding crept over me as if the howl itself were a message.

And I knew exactly what it was.